Isaiah 41 Commentary
In the first logical partition of Isaiah, we heard many judgments against various nations. In fact, the prophet even predicted a time when the LORD would judge the entire world. Chapter 41 reflects on the earlier predictions and builds a strong case against doubt, unbelief, and the various gods of the nations.
The scripture invites the reader to inspect and check the truthfulness of the Word of God. What the LORD God says remains intact; it comes to pass. Things are happening exactly as predicted by the prophet Isaiah. Probably we are looking at over a hundred years after the physical man Isaiah. And the institution named after him is unpacking the details of the prophecies. It can only be God. Can idols do anything close to this?
This chapter has done praise justice! It is full of boasting – showing off. Can the idols do anything as great? Can they explain the past or, failing that, tell us what will happen in the future?
There are certain things only the LORD God can do. The future is an exclusive club; the right of admission is strictly reserved. The gods of the nations have no clue. Let the saint reflect on this.
“I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.” Verse 27b. Could this be a reference to the physical man Isaiah whose visions we read about in the first logical partition?
Chapter 41 makes the point that humanity lives in a black box. The future is unknown. But the LORD reveals it to His servants. The Word of the LORD remains a black box until the Spirit sheds light on it. The contents of the Holy Book remain hidden until the LORD Himself decodes them. We all don’t see the same things from the holy pages!
An attacker from the east and another one from the north – verses 2 and 25, may refer to known ruling powers that ruled the region in ‘succession.’ The language is an adaptation from the first partition to show how accurate the predictions were.
We can look at the scripture and study it for information about the future. The purpose is to praise the LORD who gladly makes this information available to the saints. Today is tomorrow’s past and yesterday’s future. If you can read this line, it means the LORD has kept His word concerning your present – the word you received yesterday. We should not complicate the basics! We can boast about the generosity of the LORD to everyone.
We can also look forward to when the LORD “will turn the desert into pools of water.” The LORD God won’t forsake us.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 